Hey guys Im gonna be changing my shocks this weekend since is wayy past due, (160k). I'm planning to get the KYB OEM replacement from Rockauto. I know I should replace the 4 shocks all 4 shock mounts and boots, although I'm unsure if the rear shock absorber bushings need to be replaced or any other bushing for that matter?? Reason I'm asking is because whenever going over rough terrain or a series or potholes consecutively I'm hearing a sloppy wobble/thump coming from the rear sounds like a blown shock but my rears aren't blown.

 

At 185k my bump stops crumbled in my hands. I'd get new ones if the KYB dont come with any. I cant imagine your dust boots would need replaced though. The noise from the rear may be your sway bar end links. You can get beefier ones for $30.. they will be right in front of you anyway and likely rusted to shit and worthless! I'd swap em.

 

Oh, and the rears are likely destroyed if they have never been changed. 160k is a lot on original struts. I bet when you pull them off they don't compress and rebound correctly.

 

I dont have a typical "bouncy" ride. My ride is just crap I feel like there is no absorption between the road and my ass I can feel anything I go over and its really unpleasant the ride feels rough and very unforgiving and dangerous. Although when I do the bounce test all 4 corners feel firm and the car sits correctly after applying pressure. I noticed my front 2 boots were torn completely and just hanging at the bottom of the shaft. I will order 4 sway links, boots, and bump stops. I'm just unsure of what mounts and bushings to order from Rockauto considering all the bushing they carry.

 

The car probably rocks on the bounce test because of your springs, the struts are likely to just stay down if you pull them off and compress them by hand. I suppose anything is possible but 160k is a lot of life to get out of struts and still have them work properly. Kinda strange about the boots but I guess different weather can have different effects on em! One thing is for sure, your ride will be much better when you're done! Let us know how the KYB work for you. Are you on stock springs?

 

I have all four KYB shocks, the new mounts, dust covers and bump stops in my garage waiting for a nice warm weekend with free time to install them.
I have over 222K on my originals.

 

get way better sway bar end links from MOOG (brand)
found at many parts stores--maybe rock has them?

the new struts SHOULD come with their own bushings for their own assembly of the spring, shaft to tophat

Get new tophats- 1 per strut,,the part that holds it together and mounts thru the fender.
the 25$ OE from Honda is fine,,dont get beefy aftermarket ones unless you autocross race the car,
too much steering feedback/road roughness transferred to steering wheel from those

 

the top hats arent necessary. the only thing that you really need to replace (unless you see something broken) would be the rubber bushings and collar on the top of the shock.

#4 & 13 You can get the 3rd gen TL bushings for our cars as well, they are much firmer. I have them on mine.

 

Still confused as to what to buy specifically for front and rear.

#4 - Quantity - 4
#13 - Quantity - 4

Why are their two number 4's?

Replacing my stock shocks with Tokico HP Blue's on my 03' TL-S, 131,000 miles....

 

KYB makes a kit that contains 2x #4 and an #13 as well as the misc nuts; I bought 4 kits.

The two #4's sandwich the #5 between them, holding the shock in place and allowing it to pivot/absorb shocks to the frame.

 

I've been looking everywhere for the specific item I need. Can you link me to a store on the web where I can order the ones you got?

Btw, I have an 03' TL-S, do you?

Thanks!

 

The KYB kit for the Front and Rears (same) is SM5058. I got it from Amazon for ~$8/ea with free prime shipping.

 

Perfect, this is exactly what I needed.

Do you have the part numbers for the KYB strut boots (front & rear).

Once I order those, I will have everything I need to get this finally done!.

Thanks again...

 

You buy them as a kit there will be 2#4s and 1 #13 for each shock. (they go in as pictured. When assembling them it will look like they should go in the other way but they go in upside down (tapered edges away from each other)

As for where to get them, just go to your local auto parts store. Odds are they have them in stock.

As for the dust boots. Are yours broken? If not there is no need to replace them.

 

Or you can buy the 3rd gen shock bushings

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...3rd+gen+rubber